Clocks and watches
The initial time measuring instrument appeared in Ancient Egypt, first sundials then water-clocks. During Charlemagne reign in the early 9th century, a mechanical water-clock was brought to the court in 807 by a Sultan, and was far better than those invented by the Franks. During the 12th century the first weight-driven clocks spread in cathedrals and monasteries throughout Europe. In the early 15th century the invention of the mainspring allowed transportable clocks which generated the watch at the end of the century in France, Italy and Germany. The Renaissance period stimulated technical ingenuity and brought out watches mounted on weapons, and increasingly complex systems. The first clockmakers, Protestants, had to flee Catholic persecutions and took refuge in Geneva. European clockmaking reached Asia with Mateo Ricci. In the 17th century huge improvements were made in manufacturing and decorating clocks, with the outbreak of the grandfather clock and the “cartel”, a decorative clock on a wall stand. Paul Bert Serpette offers numerous pieces in many different brands, from an oversize wall Swatch from the 1990s to Jaeger-LeCoultre clock with a “baguette” skeleton movement.
